Field Workers And Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Mini Watermelon and Melon-Field harvest workers must be able to walk in uneven rows, and identify ripened fruit through various techniques, such as color, striping, shape as directed by Supervisors. The worker would then use a knife to cut ripe watermelons/melons off the vine. Workers then place the fruit on packing machine while walking on uneven rows through the fields. Workers on top of the packing machine will then identify size, and pack in a box, bag, tote, or bin. Workers will construct containers, whether boxes, baskets, or bins. Workers will then place fruit in the container, and then label each fruit with a sticker that identifies the commodity. After fruit is stickered, a divider will be placed inside boxes. Boxes sized will then either be stacked on pallets on a field trailer, or put into a bin, and marked according by size and information pertaining to the crew and location.

Regular Seedless Watermelon: Field harvest workers must be able to walk in uneven rows, identify ripe fruit, and use a knife to cut ripe watermelons off the vine. Worker will then move fruit into furrow/row. Worker will perform bulk loading by bending down, picking up the watermelon and then placing the fruit on a machine belt or by forming part of an assembly line, in which the first worker bends down picks up the watermelon and it is passed on to consecutive workers by passing, catching, lifting, until it reaches the worker on the trailer. Workers on the trailer then load the fruit into bulk containers under the discretion of the supervisors, which are transported to a packing site. Workers must have the required physical strength and endurance to repeat the process rapidly and skillfully involved in this type of work. Workers will perform prolonged walking, bending, stooping. reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying 0-60 lbs. The worker must be able to work outside for 6-8 hours a day in hot conditions, with temperatures reaching into the 100-degree range.

Mini Watermelon Bulk: harvest workers must be able to walk in uneven rows, and identify ripened fruit through various techniques, such as color, striping, shape as directed by Supervisors. The worker would then use a knife to cut ripe watermelons/melons off the vine and placed/rowed on bed to be picked up. Workers behind the harvesting conveyor belt will then place the fruit on the harvesting conveyor belt. The fruit is then carried down the belt to a table at the end of the belt. Workers standing on top of the field trailer will pick up melons from the table and place into pre-staged bins on the field trailer, where it is sorted to bin capacity. The process is repeated.

Mixed Melon Bulk: harvest workers must be able to walk in uneven rows, and identify ripened fruit through various techniques, such as color, striping, shape as directed by Supervisors. The worker would then use a knife to cut ripe watermelons/melons off the vine and placed/rowed on bed to be picked up. Workers behind the harvesting conveyor belt will then place the fruit on the harvesting conveyor belt. The fruit is then carried down the belt where it is dropped in a bulk trailer and sorted to trailer capacity. The process is repeated.

Continued on Addendum C

Special Requirements

This work may entail exposure to plant pollens, insects and noxious plants, and to fields and plant materials which have been treated with insect and/or disease control sprays. The employer will comply with all worker protection standards and re-entry restrictions applicable to pesticides and other chemicals used in the fields. Workers are also required to comply with all applicable worker protection standards and re-entry times. Workers must listen to, understand and follow instructions of company supervisors and managers.

Continued on Addendum C